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2012 nissan murano-crosscabriolet Model Overview

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Nissan’s craziest segment buster yet – the 2012 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet – transforms the 2012 Murano midsize crossover into an odd two-door convertible. Along with standard all-wheel drive and inspiring V-6 performance, the 2012 Murano CrossCabriolet offers an open-air experience for those who have always wanted a sport utility that could drop its top. Nissan’s renowned 3.5-liter VQ-series V-6 is used in the Murano CrossCabriolet, and makes a bit more power than the standard Murano at 265 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque. The CrossCabriolet retains some of the sporty characteristics of the non-convertible Murano, with an independent strut suspension still equipped in front, and an independent multi-link setup in the rear.

The CrossCabriolet benefits from the same face-lift the regular Murano received in 2011, which touched up the headlights and also revised the vehicle’s front and rear fascias. The CrossCabriolet, however, features unique styling, reducing from four doors to two, and adding bespoke taillights and the obligatory retractable soft top. Like the standard Murano, a continuously variable transmission (CVT) is the only available transmission choice available. The Murano CrossCabriolet gets many of the optional features available on the non-convertible Murano as standard, like HID headlights, a Bose seven-speaker premium stereo system, rear-view camera, heated steering wheel, and Bluetooth connectivity.

The Murano CrossCabriolet blazes its own trail, standing alone as the only drop-top crossover currently on the market. Introduced last year, the CrossCabriolet continues into 2012 with few changes. Nissan’s hard drive-based navigation system is now available as a standalone package, which includes a seven-inch touch screen, Bluetooth streaming audio, and XM NavTraffic/NavWeather capability. The CrossCabriolet comes standard with all-wheel drive, and also gets HID headlights, leather-upholstered seats, wood-tone interior trim, and 20-inch titanium-finish alloy wheels as standard equipment.

The CrossCabriolet keeps the dramatic front end of the standard Murano, with an angular grille and narrow headlights taking center stage. That’s where the similarities end, however. From the A-pillar back, the CrossCabriolet is a completely different vehicle. The CrossCabriolet loses two doors, and stretches the front doors of the regular Murano by 7.9 inches. The two-door look is fitting for the CrossCabriolet, especially when the top is down. That top is of the soft canvas variety, and provides the CrossCabriolet with a coupe-like profile when up. The taillights are unique, with an L-shaped groove along the edges — a current Nissan design motif. The CrossCabriolet gets standard 20-inch titanium-finish alloy wheels, as well as standard HID headlights.

Like the regular Murano, the CrossCabriolet gets a contemporary interior, with a modern-looking center console and dashboard. Leather upholstery comes standard, as do electroluminescent gauges. Rear seats are redesigned out of necessity, as the CrossCarbiolet has no structural pillars and gets by with two fewer doors than the standard Murano. Despite this, the backseat still offers 32.7 inches of legroom, although wind buffeting may deafen rear occupants on extended drives. Being a convertible, cargo volume is noticeably reduced from the standard Murano, with the CrossCabriolet providing 12.3 cubic feet of space with the top up, and a much smaller 7.6 cubic feet with it down. A rear-view camera comes standard, as does an eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat and Bluetooth connectivity.

A 3.5-liter V-6 producing 265 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque is the sole motivator for the Murano CrossCabriolet, and is paired with a CVT. Though not having a traditional gearbox option detracts slightly from its sportiness, the CVT provides a smooth driving experience. When we first tested the second-generation Murano, we said, “Yes, it still sounds like a CVT, but it reacts more quickly than it used to and feels closer to an automatic, thanks in large part to its adaptive shift control (ASC) system that helps to optimize and quicken the CVT’s operation.” Unlike the standard Murano, the CrossCabriolet requires extra bracing to fill in for the absent C-pillar. What remains of the B-pillar is reinforced for added rigidity, while strengthened pieces below the dual-floor panel structure help keep flexing to a minimum. These improvements helped the CrossCabriolet perform a half-second better than the regular Murano in our figure-eight test, though it was mostly due to the lower center of gravity of the convertible.

The Murano CrossCabriolet gets dual-stage supplemental front airbags with seat-mounted sensors, driver and passenger front side impact airbags, and door-mounted curtain airbags with head protection as standard equipment. Since it’s a convertible, the CrossCabriolet also gets dual pop-up roll bars, to substitute for a steel top in a rollover event. Nissan’s Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system with traction control, along with an ABS system with Electronic Brake force Distribution and Tire Pressure Monitoring system are also standard. Child safety seats can be fitted through the standard LATCH seat-anchoring system. A rear-view camera comes standard on the CrossCabriolet.

2012 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet Pricing

Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price

$44,540

Certified Pre Owned Pricewhat is this?

$23,150

Certified Pre-Owned Price is the approximate price a consumer can expect to pay at a dealership for a used vehicle that has passed the manufacturer's certification process. This price applies only to vehicles covered under an automaker's CPO program, not to a dealership's own "certified" used price.

Recalls

A NON-ACTIVE TPMS CANNOT WARN A DRIVER THAT A TIRE IS UNDERINFLATED. UNDERINFLATED TIRES CAN RESULT IN TIRE OVERLOADING AND OVERHEATING, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A BLOWOUT AND POSSIBLE CRASH.

Recall Date

0000-00-00

Description

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 MURANO AND ROGUE VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 23, 2011 THROUGH JANUARY 11, 2012. DURING ASSEMBLY, THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) WAS NOT ACTIVATED. THUS, THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 138,TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM.

Remedy

ALL OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES ARE STILL IN DEALER INVENTORY. DEALERS HAVE BEEN INSTRUCTED TO ACTIVATE ALL OF THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS.